Transition Services

Sycamore works with high schools, community employers and other agencies to provide high quality, long-term systems for school-to-work transition services that better prepare students with disabilities to be successful as they enter the adult world.

Pre-Employment Services (Pre-ETS)

A collaborative project serving students with disabilities for a meaningful future

Does your child face challenges as a student?

Does he/she have barriers to success?

Do you know there is assistance to support your student in making
choices about life after high school?

MissionThe mission of the Pre-Employment Transition Services Collaborative is to provide positive strategies for students with disabilities through supported decision making concerning community living, further educational opportunities, and employment.

Services are available for students ages 14-22 with an IEP or 504 plan, and include the following:

 Job exploration and counseling

 Work-based learning experiences

 Workplace readiness

 Instruction in self-advocacy

 Assistance with post-secondary education counseling and enrollment

In 2014, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was signed into law – one of its provisions amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. With the new changes, each state is required, through their respective offices of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies, to set aside federal funds for the provision of Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) to “students with disabilities who are eligible or potentially eligible for VR services.” VR is a state agency that is housed in the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). Their mission is to assist individuals with serious impediments to become employed. Through this initiative to pass this legislation, it was determined that a portion of the population was underserved. One national study indicated students leaving high school who had a real work experience doubled their chance of being employed as an adult. This is a great opportunity to ensure students have access to meaningful career planning in order to help with the seamless transition from high school to employment or post-secondary training.

School to Work Transition Collaborative

Sycamore, along with Easter Seals Crossroads and Noble of Indiana is currently involved in a collaborative project working to provide a better tomorrow for students with disabilities.

Mission
Working with high schools to provide high quality, long-term systems for school-to-work Transition services that better prepare students with disabilities to be successful as they enter the adult world.

Project Goals

Enhance partnership and communication among Vocational Rehabilitation services, consumers and the school systems.

Support and sustain “best practice” Transition planning and work experience for students with disabilities in preparation for further education and/or successful employment after high school.

Student-Focused Transition Services may Include:

Person-centered planning

Self advocacy and self determination

Career planning and career exploration

Work experiences

Social Security benefits/work incentive planning

Work skills training

Interdisciplinary team support

Coordination of education and vocational goals and opportunities

Project Search

Sycamore Services has partnered with Project Search in a unique transition program that takes place entirely in the workplace. During this one year, school-to-work program students with disabilities are selected to participate in internships sponsored by departments of the Indiana Government Center.

During the school year students are immersed in the workplace for a combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and on-the-job training and support. The goal for each student is to obtain a permanent job. Project Search combines real-life work experiences along with training in employability and independent living skills to help youth with disabilities make successful transitions from school to productive adult life.

Students served by Sycamore and Project Search have found great success. In 2011, Sycamore earned a national award from Project Search for placing 77% of its students in jobs through the 2010-2011 school year. Our 2011-2012 student placements reached the required percentage to obtain another national award.